Resources During COVID-19 Crisis

Maryland Health Insurance
Maryland residents who lack health insurance or have lost their health insurance due to lost employment can sign-up for coverage during the special enrollment period that runs until June 15th. Coverage purchased during the special window will start on the 1st of April, May, and June. If you qualify for Medicaid you can sign-up during any time. To sign up for Health Insurance or Medicaid visit the Maryland Health Connection website. 

Mercy Health Clinic
Mercy Health Clinic is able to see NEW patients over the age of 18 who are likely to be eligible for the Montgomery Cares program, with a priority on patients who have an urgent health need. They continue to see current patients as well. Hours: M/W 8:30-5, T/Th 8:30-8. 240-773-0300. They are conducting most of their patient visits via telemedicine so please contact our main line at 240.773.0300 during their business hours for details.  

Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC)
Includes important and reliable information on how to prevent the spread of the virus, what to do if you are sick and how to keep your community safe.
To view CDC recommendations & resources in Spanish go to Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades Recursos para COVID-19.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Includes updates on COVID-19 in Montgomery County.

The list below has up-to-date information on how and where you can access food for your family.

***Grover Essentials will not be open for the remainder of the semester and the Mobile Market has been canceled until further notice. 

SNAP
The Maryland Department of Human Services will provide all current SNAP recipients and new applicants with the maximum benefit amount for April and May. For more information on how to apply go here. 

WIC
All CCI WIC Centers are closed to the public, however, they continue to provide all essential services (appointments, benefits, support services) via phone: 301-762-9426.

Montgomery County Food Council 
Provides relevant information about food assistance resources, and opportunities for individuals and organizations to support community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  A Spanish version is also available. 

Manna
Currently distributing food on our regular schedule at all of their distribution sites. Call 301-424-1130 by 3 PM the day before you want to pick up, to schedule your appointment. Eligibility for food remains every 30 days. All food will be pre-packed (a healthy mix of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable foods). When you arrive please hold up, not hand, your ID to a Manna staff or volunteer. The Manna staff or volunteer will sign their name on your behalf. 

Capital Area Food Bank
Providing grab and go bags to people through their multiple partners. Make sure to expand the "Community Hub Partners & Locations" to see all distribution sites and hours. 

Shepherd's Table 
Providing meals (and to-go boxes) twice a day: brunch 10:30 am-12 pm and dinner 6-7:30 pm. Their Resource Center will be open twice during the day, providing mail, toiletries, bus tokens, blankets and more.

Nourish Now
Call 301-330-0222 to schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 10:30 am-3:30 pm. Plan and schedule your pick-up 24-48 hours ahead to request your choice of appointment. No walk-in or same-day appointments are available at this time. Bring a photo ID. 

Gaithersburg HELP
Food (including baby food) and Toiletries Bank. Operating under their normal schedule. When you go to pick up food, please do not assemble in the waiting room. They are serving clients one at a time on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please remain outside until the previous client exits. Contact: 301-216-2510

Catholic Charities Choice Food Pantry
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am4pm. Bring proof of Montgomery County residency and own bags. Contact: 301-942-1790

Meals on Wheels
It offers meals for the elderly and people with disabilities. You have to call to sign-up to have meals delivered. Meals are delivered in the morning and they include lunch and dinner. For more information visit the Rockville or Germantown.

UMBC Retriever Essentials 
Meal Packages at Drop Boxes at the UMBC campus. Contact retrieveressentials@umbc.edu

MCPS Emergency Meals
Beginning July 6, 2020, MCPS will provide breakfast and lunch meals to all Montgomery County children and all MCPS students (regardless of age) at more than 60 MCPS sites across the county and more than 30 community-based programs. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at school sites and from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at bus distribution sites

Frederick County Emergency Meals
Free meals! Summer Food Service Program June 22-August 20. FCPS Food and Nutrition Services will be serving free "to-go" breakfasts and lunches at 20 locations to any child 18 years old and younger.  Free meals are also available for adults older than 18 years old who are enrolled in an educational program for persons with disabilities.

Prince George’s County Emergency Meals
Starting Wednesday, May 6, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students can pick up supper as part of their “grab and go” meals and more distribution sites are on the way. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be served twice a week; the snack will be discontinued and replaced with supper. Students can get meals for two days on Mondays and three days on Wednesdays. Parents may pick up meals for students who are unable to come to the site by showing a student ID or report card. Meals are available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The FCC agreement states that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots. The list below provides information on specific providers. 

Altice USA 
Offering Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their footprint.

AT&T 
Offering open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families.

Comcast 
Offering free WiFi for 2 months to low-income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time.

Charter Communications
Offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps.

Spectrum
Offering free wifi to students who are without it (students in k-12 AND college students).

Sprint 
Following FCC agreement, providing unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

T-Mobile 
Following FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

Verizon 
No special offers, but following the FCC agreement. 

The following is a compilation of resources aimed to keep kids/students Pre-K -12 learning through the state-wide school closures. All of these resources are free. Many of these resources also have printable worksheets/lessons that can be completed without a computer.

MCPS Continuous Learning
Montgomery County Public Schools is providing laptops to students in need to allow them to access academic lessons online. Please visit information on laptop distribution.

Montgomery County Public Libraries
MCPL is introducing the new Digital Library Card. Get access to digital services and streaming content and even put holds on physical materials!

Scholastic Learn at Home
Offering 20 Days of Learning, Reading and Inspiration through special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!

PBS Kids Learning Goals Apps & TV Shows
Specific apps & tv shows that align to academic subjects and ages. For example, PEG + CAT for math is an inquiry based approach to problem solving that children can use in their everyday lives.

Khan Academy
Shared samples of e-learning days that are structured like a school day of learning. The website includes preschool to 12^th grade schedules.

Virtual Museum Tours
These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You can Take on Your Couch!

Knowledge on the Go Collection
Online resources for math, English language arts, and science that can be used by teachers and parents at home. Starting 3/18/20, they’ll be posting free recorded daily lessons of their great curricula. These will be available on all devices.

Learning A-Z
Free trial subscription provides 90 days of unlimited access to Raz-Kids and/or Headsprout. 

Survival Guide for Parents with Children
An incredibly thorough list that includes various websites conducive to learning various subjects! 

Didn’t find something you could use? Check out…

Amazing Educational Resources & This Article
Both of these resources lists dozens of education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings.